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ICH Materials 54
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TWO-PART SINGING OF THE NUNG ETHNIC GROUP IN VIETNAMOf the fifty-four ethnic groups in Vietnam, the Kinh (also known as the Viet) people account for 85 percent of the entire population of Vietnam while the remaining 15 percent of the population is made up of the other fifty-three minorities. Within the group of minorities are the Nung people who have a population of around one million and reside in the northern mountainous provinces on the border with China.Year2015NationSouth Korea
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Ging Tshogling Cham: Wrathful War DanceOne of the most entertaining mask dances is the Ging Tsholing Cham, where most of the audience, especially the children, are captivated by the intensifying drum beats and the fighting scene of the Cham ritual dance. The mask dance is also called Tro-ging, a local name, because it provides an entertaining presentation and performance for the audience. Ging represents the wrathful appearance of celestial beings, daka and dakinis; those dances are performed by laymen called Boecham pa. Whereas Tshogling is the emanation of guardian deities of Dharma protectors, including the Four Kings of the cardinal points and the Eight Classes of Gods and Goddesses; these roles are usually performed by Tsun cham pa monks. \n\nAccording to literary sources, the mask dance was introduced by Terton, treasure revealer, Pema Lingpa (1450-1521) after he saw the performance at Zangdok Pelri, the copper-colored mountain and spiritual realm of Guru Padmasambhava. Pema Lingpa, who was one of the fortunate incarnate beings of Guru Padmasambhava, met his enlightened master several times: when he predicted the future, when he gave him the list of treasures to be discovered in disguise, when he guided him to the sites to be discovered, and as he often invited him into his realm during meditation states and in dreams. On one such occasion, in the magnificent palace of Rang-jung Trulpai Phodrang, self-formed palace, he saw the Root Master manifesting in Ja-lue rainbow body or wisdom body, from which millions of his forms emerged, filling the three realms of the universe, which is beyond our imagination. Among the magical representations, the enlightened sages of India and Tibet sit in the right row and the scholars sit in the left row. In between them sit the 108 treasure discoverers, who are incarnations of Guru Padmasambhava and his 25 chief disciples. A cloud of gods and goddesses transformed into one hundred Dampa Rigja Protective Deities– forty-two peaceful forms, and fifty-eight in Ging wrathful appearance–they made various sensuous offerings, including the performance of Dorji-lugar Vajra Dances, dancing upon the air, rejoicing in the participation in the preaching of the coinage doctrine. \n\nOutside the entrance gate of the Four Directions are thousands of warriors from the Pho-jued and Mo-jued male and female classes of protecting deities, the Eight Classes of Gods and Goddesses, led by the kings of the Four Directions Tshoglings, who are getting ready to overcome obstacles to the sacred teachings. In the war scene between the Gings and the Tshoglings, the aggressive characters of the Tshoglings, and the drum beats of the Gings arouse a sense of fear in the obstacles and samaya oath breakers, guiding them to follow the righteous path of humanity.\n\nA similar performance was originally introduced by Guru Padmasambhava to aid Tibet’s King Thrisong Detsen (c. 755-797 or 804 AD). Padmasambhava used his supernatural powers at the great Samye Monastery in Tibet, he manifested in the form of Ging and Tshogling, producing an immense positive force to fight and subdue the evil spirits that hindered the construction of the monastery. With the obstacles overcome, the site became an important part of establishing the teachings of the Buddha in the region. \n\nAfter seeing the spectacular performance and realizing its benefits for the liberation of sentient beings, Pema Lingpa introduced the sacred mask dance to Jigten me-yul the human world, first at Korphu Temple, one of his seats in Trongsa, central Bhutan. There is still a saying that goes, "If you are not sure about the choreographies of Ging Tsholing or Tro-ging, you should visit Korphu Drub." Korphu Drub is the annual mask dance festival that coincides with the temple's dedication ceremony. \n\nDue to the importance of the dance, this mask dance was later introduced in most Tshechu, Rabney, Mewang, Mani, Drub, Drubchen (native names for the annual mask dance festival) of forts, monasteries and temples by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (1594-1651) who unified Bhutan as a country, the successive spiritual leaders of the Je Khenpo as well as the temporary leaders of the Druk Desi - these spiritual masters and far-sighted monarchs.YearNationBhutan
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The Recipe and History of Thai Tomyam KungTomyam kung, or spicy shrimp soup, is a typical Thai dish that became popular only 50 years ago. Tomyam kung is a hot soup made by mixing various ingredients, including herbs, in boiling water. The basic ingredients include ground cilantro root, lemongrass, galangal, torn kaffir lime leaves, lime juice, fish sauce, bird’s-eye chilies and shrimps. In addition, mushroom, tomatoes, and onions may be added depending on preference. \n\nThe word “tomyam” is a compound word in the Thai language. It consists of two words — “tom” and “yam,” which mean “boiling” and “mixing,” respectively. These two words refer to the Thai cooking process. \n\nTomyam is a traditional Thai dish originating from the country’s central region. The oldest recipe was found in King Rama V’s reign. It was stated that only snakehead fish and stingray should be used in tomyam pla, or spicy fish soup. There are some secondary sources referring to dishes that had similar ingredients and recipes to tomyam kung. However, they still lacked some of the important ingredients that are familiar in the dish today, such as lemongrass, galangal, and torn kaffir lime leaves.\n\nThe very first “tomyam kung” recipe appeared in a book, Khong Sawoei (Thai royal cuisine), written by Mom Rajawongse Kitinadda Kitiyakara. The writer cooked fresh shrimp soup for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great (Rama IX), Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and the prince and princesses at the Klai Kangwon Palace, Hua Hin, in 1962. The recipe started with the instruction to make a soup from shrimp shells and heads, seasoned with fish sauce, kaffir lime leaves, and lemongrass. This was then strained to retain only the broth, which was poured into a bowl of boiled shrimp and seasoned with lime juice. Ground chilies and more fish sauce were added before serving. \n\nThe precise flavor of tomyam kung has never been fixed; it can be seasoned according to the consumer’s preferred tastes. However, a basic recipe is as follows:\n\nSlice the lemongrass, galangal, tomatoes, chilies, mushrooms, and shrimp\nBring a pot of water to the boil on the stove \nAdd the sliced lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves\nBoil for about 5 minutes and then add the shrimp\nAdd the sliced Thai chilies, mushrooms, and tomatoes\nFlavor by adding a little fish sauce and sugar (you can add more if desired)\nTake the pot off the heat and squeeze in the lime juice (if you do this before taking the pot off the stove, the heat will turn the lime juice bitter) \nThere are in fact types of tomyam kung: clear and thick. The clear soup is the original style, while coconut milk is added to make the thick variety.\n\nTomyam kung is a Thai national soup that very popular among both Thais and non-Thais. It has high nutritional value and is not too spicy. Its fragrance derives from vegetables and spices that are thought to help blood circulation, bringing good health. Tomyam kung is a very popular dish in every Thai restaurant. In addition, many popular snacks and instant noodles also use the flavors of tomyam kung. \n\nIn 2011, tomyam kung was inscribed by the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture on the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage under the domain of Knowledge and Practices Concerning Nature and the Universe. Recently, the government of Thailand is seeking to have tomyam kung listed by UNESCO as part of the country’s cultural heritage.\n\nPhoto : Tomyam Kung ⓒ shutterstockYear2019NationThailand
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A new project to assist the legal sector in Land Disputes"1. Presentation of project proposals: \nLand disputes and the majority of civil cases before Vanuatu courts are partly due to development and the economic strategies that are currently being pursued from all directions. Land is Ni-Vanuatu’s life and identity. Ownership of land is closely connected with culture and is very diverse in Vanuatu. Land cases take longer than expected before decisions are reached and made. \nThis could be in the form of knowledge with the elders in villages, or knowledge that is communicated in dialects or through rituals, songs, drawings, and so many more. Expert witnesses that are knowledgeable in customs and traditions are requested to testify in court (through sworn statements); however, in some unfortunate cases, the expert witnesses dies with the knowledge that they have without passing it on to others in the clan or their communities. \nUnless documented, this knowledge will fade away and be lost altogether. I strongly feel that an information data system will assist legally and culturally to preserve these traditions, customs, and knowledge. \n2. Link between law and culture\nUNESCO’s Definition of ICH is “traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants, such as oral traditions; performing arts; social practices; rituals; festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts are key components of what we are trying to protect.”\nLand ownership is governed by custom and culture, and it our view of land is encompassed in the saying, “My life, my land.” Land is our identity as we are known by the world around us. Land is owned by families, clans, and tribes; and with this common inheritance, we share cultural expressions that have been passed from one generation to another. These expressions have evolved in response to their environments and have contributed to giving us a sense of identity and continuity as is being promoted by UNESCO. That wealth of knowledge must be passed on to assist with settling land disputes and to keep the peace within families. It is very "Year2012NationSouth Korea
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Nuad Thai: Traditional Thai Massage as ICHNuad thai or Thai Massage is a body and mind therapy, a traditional method of healing integrating the knowledge of science and art and local wisdom. Transmitted from generation to generations since the ancient times, it is still remarkably widespread throughout the country because of its effectiveness. In the past, it was practiced only within family bounds, such that wives or children would massage their husbands, parents, or grandparents after farming or gardening to relieve muscle ache.\n\nBasically, nuad skills involve applying hands, elbows, knees, and feet to press, squeeze, chop, stretch, knead, and pound. Thai people believe that the human body consists of four basic elements: earth, water, air, and fire. Nuad can stimulate energies of the body, and thus it betters blood circulation. In 2011, the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture inscribed nuad thai on the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage under the domain of Knowledge and Practices Concerning Nature and the Universe.\n\nNuad has two important purposes. One is to secure the capacity of one’s health to carry out the demands of professional life. In fact, people can select a kind of massage according to their individual preference such as reflexology, oil massage, hot herbal ball massage, hydrotherapy massage, or foot massage. For this purpose, plenty of spas or massage houses provide this kind of comforting service. On another hand, nuad thai is a remedy to health problems. In this case, therapists are required to be specialized and certified for this treatment to diagnose, cure, heal, or relieve the symptom. Felling off the pillow, low back pain, ankle sprain, constipation, and paralysis are some example of this treatment.\n\nNowadays, nuad thai is more extensively famous, not only for farmers or workers but also for other areas of work. As modernization, social pressure of technology, and increase of office work, burnt-out people tend to have nuad to reduce their body pain and relax their minds. Nuad has gained a wider acceptance as self-care practice for social value as the body and mind treatment. In fact, it recently becomes more popular for foreign tourists, too.\n\nPhoto : Nuad Thai 1ⓒ The Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture in ThailandYear2018NationThailand
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China-Mongolia Joint Actions for the Safeguarding of “Urtiin Duu, the traditional folk long song”: Retrospect and ReflectionAbstract: Shared between China and Mongolia, the element of “Urtiin duu, the traditional folk long song” constitutes the first exemplar of multinational nomination and joint safeguarding effort in the East Asian subregion, from which we can draw certain experiences and lessons both for international cooperation, and domestic policy-making in the safeguarding of shared living heritage, thereby providing further understanding and contributing to the implementation of the 2003 Convention and the 2030 Agenda from perspectives of East Asia. The present paper extends from briefing the bilateral candidature file to its joint 10-year safeguarding actions (2005-2015), covering discussions on post-inscription actions, problematic issues, and possible solutions. \n\nIn November 2005, “Urtiin duu, the traditional folk long song” (hereinafter referred to as “Urtiin duu,”) which connects the man with nature and the universe, was proclaimed by UNESCO as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity through a joint file by China and Mongolia. In November 2008, Urtiin duu was incorporated in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity (UNESCO, 2008). As the very first case in multinational nomination to the Lists of the 2003 Convention32 from Asia-Pacific region, China-Mongolia cooperation in the early stages of the Convention, paved the way to the safeguarding of shared living heritage and resultedin enriched experience with lessons, extending a meaningful case for reflecting issues in promoting cooperation in East Asian sub-region and beyond.Year2021NationChina,Mongolia
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FROM SACRED TO TRUTHThe creation of life on Earth begins with mystery. In pursuit of understanding mysterious things, humankind gained one of their most valuable qualities—veneration of sacred. Understanding the link between mystery and sacred has existed since the dawn of humanity. The first lightning in the sky and thunder, sunrise and moonrise, and heat and coldness—all these were once mysteries that people worshiped as to unknown and sacred. The first forms of worship were to water, sky, and wind—early formations of sacred spaces. Therefore, knowing who designates this or that object is sacred or what the criteria is not possible because no one knows all the mysteries of creation. Objects or artifacts that people qualify as sacred spaces are those that remind us that we are not alone in the universe.Year2016NationSouth Korea
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The Role and Tasks of ICH Expertise InstitutionOriginally the Center was founded in 1988 by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sciences as the Restoration Studio for Museum Objects, and later in 1995 was re-organized into the Center for Cultural Heritage.\nIn 2008, the most active at the time NGO operating regarding documentation and registration of the intangible cultural heritage was merged with the Center. Since that period, with the initiative from the Ministry of the Education, Culture, and Sciences, the Center has created State Database for Registration and Information of the Cultural Heritage, including both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Total of 177 Intangible Cultural Heritage elements, of which Language and Oral Traditions - 11%, Folk Performing Arts - 60%, Social Practices, Rituals and Festive Events – 4%, Traditional Techniques, Knowledge, Practices Concerning the Nature and Universe - 2%, and Traditional Craftsmanship – 23% are documented and registered in the State Database for Registration and Information of the Cultural Heritage by 2019.Year2019NationSouth Korea
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Discussion on “Characteristics and Current state of East-Asian Shaman Culture”Renaissance (rebirth) does not occur just once in human history, but may manifest in any era. Renaissance resembles the resurrection principle that starts with death and ends with revival. The educated used to say “let’s return to Greece” during the Renaissance, hoping to revive the dead Greece. What should we say if we re-attempt the Renaissance movement today? Not to mention the already generalized animal ethics, it is not far from plant ethics being taught in universities. If we agree on the first Renaissance being the Christian doctrine that defines the Earth being the center of the universe where human, the sole legitimate creation of the one and only God, live, from where should we begin the search for the system of original thought, in the midst of the traditional philosophy; only human possess souls facing biological\nresistance which claims animals, or even plants have souls? As the thoughts in the beginning era had been overcome through the Renaissance, we are now in the need of second Renaissance to overcome the life philosophy, which originated in BC400-500, of east and west. In other words, like the example of one returning to the previous era, Greece, to overcome the theology originated in the beginning era, we should worry about the search-point for a model that would help us to overcome the philosophy of BC5-6, where the life philosophy originated. What if, plants-have-souls philosophy develops to a fact that states even non-living have souls, where we should find the reference model? If such situation becomes the reality by any chance, it would be reasonable to take Shamanism as one of our cards.Year2013NationSouth Korea
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PAVENI PI MAI MUANG—NEW YEAR FESTIVAL OF CHIANG MAIAnnually, from 13 to 15 April, the people of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia celebrate their traditional New Year—Paveni Pi Mai Muang or the Songkran Festival, which is also known as the Water Splashing Festival. According to Northern Thai or Lanna culture, Songkran is traditionally celebrated during the seventh lunar month of the Lanna calendar. Establishing April as the first month of the year coincides with the movement of the sun through the zodiac, a pattern that reflects the changing seasons and accords with the natural rhythm of nature and the universe. This time of year provides an opportunity for family members to gather and make merit through traditional rituals, such as washing Buddha images and other water blessing ceremonies. Each day of the New Year festival serves a particular purpose as outlined in this article.Year2018NationSouth Korea
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ICH and Community Resilience: Some ObservationsResilience is the ability to cope with difficult situations that may be foreseen or unforeseen. It does not necessarily serve as protection against a disaster or other stressful situation, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the adaptability of social and ecological systems to adverse situations and disruptions. Social and ecological systems are reflected in the definition of ICH in the 2003 UNESCO Convention as evident in the domains identified, comprising: oral traditions and expressions; performing arts; social practices, rituals, and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and traditional craftsmanship.Year2023NationIndia
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Dao Mau: Ritual of the Mother Goddess in VietnamDao Mau, the Mother Goddess ritual, is an ancient Vietnamese ritual that has been around since the sixteenth century. For the first time, Dao Mau ritual was performed on 18 August 2017 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The performance was organized by the Embassy of Vietnam in Sofia in collaboration with the State Cultural Institute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The ritual pays tribute to three spheres of the universe: heaven, water, and earth (mountains and forests).\n\nLieu Hạnh is a leading Mother Goddess figure in Vietnam. Referred to as the Mother of the World, she is a nymph who descended to Earth, lived as a human, and became a Buddhist nun. The biggest annual festival celebrated is held in Phu Day Temple, Nam Dinh Province. The Mother Goddess ritual includes music, songs, dance performances; performers are dressed in traditional Vietnamese costumes.\n\nIt is believed that practicing this ritual maintains culture, history, and heritage as communally shared richness. The ritual encourages good nature in each individual and enhances the connection among community members. Worshipping the Mother Goddess is also a sign of appreciation to the role and contribution of women in society. Recognized by UNESCO, this Vietnamese ritual was inscribed on Representative List in December 2016.\n\nPhoto : Practices related to the Viet’s beliefs in the Mother Goddesses of Three Realms © UNESCOYear2017NationViet Nam